Written by Dale McRaven
Produced by Larry Rosen
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer
Original Air Date: January 12, 1973
The Partridge family discovers that during the night someone has entered their
house and burglarized their TV, radio and stereo. As a gift Reuben has a
burglar alarm installed in the Partridge home. It has sensor pads in various
places under the carpeting -- one step on a sensor and the house is filled
with a heart-stopping, loud, clanging bell.
While the Partridges are trying to adjust to the alarm and remember to turn it
off when they are in the house, the neighbors are getting more furious each
time it is set off accidentally. Petitions are being signed asking that the
alarm be removed.
When Shirley goes to the garage to shut off another "false alarm,"
she finds Morris Dinkler, and escaped-con who holds the Partridge family and
Reuben hostage. He purposely chose their house because of the alarm, knowing
that new alarms are frequently set off by accident and after a while the
police don't bother to come. Everyone assumes the bulge in Morris's pocket,
which he refers to as "Big Bertha", is a gun; it turns out to be a
harmonica! Morris is really quite a nice guy who had a bad break. He only had
four months until his parole when he was taken along as a hostage by escaping
prisoners. He is convinced the police won't believe him. In order to set a
good example for the younger kids, Morris turns himself in to the police with
the promise of help from the Partridges. When he surrenders, Morris learn that
the police know he was innocent as far as the break-out was concerned.
Song:
"Sunshine Eyes," Music and Lyrics by Terry Cashman and T. P.
West (unreleased on commercial LP) (on Screen Gems Volume 6)
Guest Cast:
Morris Dinkler ----------------------------------------- Arte Johnson
Officer Metscur ---------------------------------------- Nelson D. Cuevas
Sam Barner -------------------------------------------- Mel Gallagher
Tube Trivia:
- Arte Johnson is best known for his regular role on "Laugh-In."
He also appeared in Episode 44.
- Dale McRaven was the Story Editor for "The Partridge Family." He
wrote 16 episodes for The Partridge Family. He went on to produce and
co-create such shows as "Mork & Mindy," "Laverne &
Shirley," and "Perfect Strangers."
- E.W. Swackhamer directed an incredible array of TV series including
"The Rookies," "Bewitched," "Hazel," "The
Flying Nun," "S.W.A.T.," "Quincy, M.E.," "Gidget,"
"Life Goes On," "M*A*S*H*," "Law and Order,"
"Murder, She Wrote," and "L.A. Law." For "The
Partridge Family, he directed Episodes 8, 31, 56, 61, 64, 71, 78, and 79. He
was married to actress Bridget Hanley ("Here Come The Brides.")
- "Sunshine Eyes" was recorded with 2 verses. Yet in this episode,
the second verse is replaced with Morris's harmonica solo. Lyrics to the
second verse can be found in the Album Guide Section of the website.
